National Archives of Australia & Public Record Office

VictoriaResearching Aboriginal Records

17June 2011 (Victorian Archives Centre)

Ed Story

Recognition of CountryRecognition of Country

Acknowledgement:I acknowledge and pay my respect to the traditional custodians and elders, past, present and future.

This presentation may show images of deceased people.

What I will cover today• The Koorie Reference Service• Searching for records in the Koorie index of names

(KIN) database• Viewing records from the PROV collection• Other online resources available in Reading Room:

– BDM Index, Probates, Inquests, Passenger lists

• Using the NAA Record Search catalogue• Viewing records from the NAA collection• What I found out about my mob using government

records

Koorie Reference Service• Assists Aboriginal clients access government records held at both PROV and

National Archives of Australia (NAA)

• Clients include individual researchers, Stolen Generations members, referred queries from Link Up, Koorie Heritage Trust and other Aboriginal organisations

• Carry out name searches of Koorie Index of Names database (PROV records), Bringing Them Home database (NAA records), BDM registers, on behalf of individuals

• If the query was received via email/letter, provide results of searches via written response (email/letter)

• Individuals then have the option and information they need to order and view original records in the reading room, take digital copies or request copies be made for them

What is covered in the service• Koorie Index of Names database (PROV)• Bringing them Home database (NAA)• Other indexes to records useful for family

history in general:– Births, Deaths and Marriages– Inquests– Wills and Probates

What is provided to the client?• Written response detailing what was found for

each search• Reference details of records that contain

information relevant to the search• Not the information in the records – just

information that will help clients access them in the VAC reading room

Koorie Reference Enquiries Contact: Ed Story

Tel (PROV): 03 9348 5773

or (NAA): 03 9348 5775

Email: edward.story@naa.gov.au

or edward.story@prov.vic.gov.au

How to search the KIN database

• Step 1: Accessing KIN• The KIN Database can be

accessed from computers in PROV’s Reading Rooms.

• Please note that this site cannot be accessed by the public outside of PROV’s Reading Rooms.

How to search the KIN database

How to search the KIN database

• Step 2: Searching There are a number of ways to search within the KIN database.

• One of the most effective search methods is by entering a name into the 'Surname' box on the search screen.

How to search the KIN database• Step 2: Searching • Besides a surname search, the database also allows you to

undertake a number of other searches. • You can search by place: this search is useful if you are looking

for information about a place, rather than a person.

How to search the KIN database• Step 2: Searching • By event year: this search will give you the date of a

record, or a date mentioned in the record. You can expand the range of years searched by using the drop down function next to each box.

How to search the KIN database• Step 2: Searching• By Birth Year or Death Year: The 'Birth' and 'Death' date fields

can be used to search for people if their age or these dates are recorded. Again, you can expand the range of years searched by using the drop down function next to each box.

How to search the KIN database• Step 3: Search Results• Search results are arranged into a number of

different columns each highlighting different information about the record.

How to search the KIN database• Step 4: Sorting Results • You can sort results by clicking on the relevant

column; if you click on the date column for example, you can change the order of the results from the latest to earliest date.

How to search the KIN database• Step 5: Ordering Records • Once you have located the entries for the individuals you are

researching, make a note of the following details from the search results: Series (VPRS), Consignment, Unit, Item and Page numbers. These are in the last column of results.

After you have searched the KIN database

• Step 6: Log in to PROV’s online catalogue at www.access.prov.vic.gov.au to order the records for viewing at the VAC reading room. See PROVguide 19 Registering and Maintaining a Public User Account for information on creating a public user account if you do not already have one.

Ordering PROV records identified in KIN database for viewing

• Step 7: Go to the Direct Order menu

Ordering PROV records identified in KIN database for viewing

• Step 8: Enter in the relevant details as identified above and click on the Order button.

Checking your when records will be ready for you to view

• Step 8: Your order will be confirmed and will display the date and time your record will be available for viewing in the reading room.

Further information on using the KIN database

For further information see• PROVguide 67 Koorie Heritage – Koorie Index

of Names Project• HOW TOguide 67 How to search the KIN

database• PROVguide 21 Ordering Records for help with

ordering• These are available online and in reading

rooms

Researching other databases in the reading room to find records

• Births Deaths and Marriages indexes

• Wills and Probates (see PROVguides 26, 29 and 70 and HOW TOguides 29, 68 and 75)

• Inquest records (PROVguide 71)

Bringing Them Home Name Index• The National Archives' Bringing Them Home (BTH)

name indexing project arose from recommendations made in the Bringing Them Home, the report of the National Inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families released in July 1997

• Fact Sheet 175 – Bringing Them Home Name Index

• Not accessible to general public – enquiry must be made through Koorie Reference Officer

How can you access NAA records?

• View records in the reading room• Make your own photographic copy by using your own

camera• Purchase a copy• Purchase a digital copy (attached to RecordSearch

entry)• View/download a digital copy if the record has

already been digitised and is available through RecordSearch

Are all NAA records available to the public?

• No – 30 year ‘rule’• Over 30 years old – NAA• Less than 30 years – FOI request to the

agency• Access examination – Open, Closed or

Open with exception

Ask yourself: what was your family’s contact with

government?

My Mob• Family records can be

searched, just recently I searched for my adoptive fathers and grandfathers war service records from WW1 & WW2.

• John Robert Story

My Mob

• Photo of my adopted grandpa, Ormond Charles Green

Questions?

Copies of this Powerpoint presentation are available online at:http://www.slideshare.net/publicrecordoffice/